Rail joint



E. FIXTER.

RAIL JOINT.

APPueAnoN FILED JUNE 20, 1921.

Patented June 13, 1922.

nnwann :ernrnn, or wrnnrneroiv, men-1r. CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR orone-rennet; T iaAnsHar-L L. STARKEY, or wrmcrnc ron, non'rn CAROLINA.

RAIL JOINT.

intense.

Application filed June 20,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, EDWARD Fizrrnn, a subject of the King of GreatBritain residing at lVilmingtom in the county of New Hanover and Stateof North Carolina, have invented new and useful improvements in l? ailJoints, of which the following is a specitication.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and etlicient term.01": rail joint wherein a limited relative movement oil the railsections with reference to the splice bars may be permitted underconditions avoiding strain upon the parts, without necessitating the useof transverse bolts, and under con ditions providing against theaccidental disengagement oi the splic bars from the rail ends; and toprovide in this connection a construction facilitating the assembling ofthe elements comprising the joint and the disconnection thereof when itis necessary to release the winner-ted rail ends; and with this objectin view-the invention consists in a constructitm and combination oiparts of which a preterred embodiment is shown in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a joint embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section oi, the

same.

Figure 3 is a detail view the splice bars arranged in their operativerelations but disconnected trom the rail.

Figure 4c is a similar view of one of the base plates.

Figure 5 is a view of the adjacent extremities of two rail sectionsinverted.

The joint between adjoining rail ends is spanned by splice bars 11having upright flanges 12 and toot engaging shoes 12-5 o't which thelower walls 1 1 extend under the rail foot or base and receive theweight thereof and is provided with means for holding the bases oi thesplice bars in proper relation and engagement with the rail foot, andconsisting in the construction illustrated ot a base plate 15 whichextends continuously and transversely under the splice bars and isprovided at its extremities with spike holes 16 with which spikes 17driven into the ties 18 may be seated.

The lower walls of the shoe forming elements of the splice bars areextended outwardly to form base tlanges 19 for engagement by theterminals of the base plate 15 Specification of Letters Patent. PatentedJune 13 1922.

1921. seen-a0. 473351. Y

*ich indicated in Figure 4 are returned r bent inwardly to form lips 20which over lap the flanges 19 to insure against displ cement.

The upper edges of the webs or upright portions 12 of the splice barsare arranged in contact with the under surfaces of the heads or treadportions of the rail sections and are provided with seats 21 forrevoluble keys consisting in the construction illustrated of balls 22 ofsteel or like material, and. the under surl'aces of the rail heads areprovided with elongated complemental seats 23 registering with the seatsin the upper edges of the splice bars and thus while locking the railsand splice bars positively against relative transverse or lateral. movement, permitting relative longitudinal movement to compensate "forexpansion and contraction incident to changes of temperature.

is will be obvious the splice bars are applied to the rail section endsby placing the upper edges of the upright or web portions 12 oi theformer. in a tilted position under the overhanging portions of the railheads. with the revoluble keys in place, after which the lower ends orbase portions of the splice bars are swung into engagement with the baseoi? the rail and are then secured by the base plate which is applied byalongitudinal sliding movement from one end of tee related splice bars,the inturned lips 20 of the base plate engaging over the lateral flanges1.9 of the splice bars. Therefore when the base plate has beenpositioned and secured by means of the spikes driven into the ties, theelements of the joint are secured in permai'ient interlocking relation.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and useful is 1.A rail joint having lateral splice bars and means for securing the sameagainst transverse movement relative to the rails, said means includingrevoluble keys interposed between the splice bars and the rails.

2. it. rail joint having lateral splice bars provided with shoes forengaging the rail foot and means for securing the shoes againsttransverse movement relative to the rail, and revoluble keys interposedbetween the upper edges of the splice bars and the under surfaces of therail. heads. v

3. A rail joint having lateral splice bars provided with shoes forengagingthe rail toot and means for securing the shoes againsttransverse movement relative to the rail, the facing surfaces formed bythe upper 10 and rolling keys engaging complemental regedges of thesplice bars and the under sides istering seats in the upper edges of theof the rail heads being provided With comsplice bars and the undersurfaces of the plemental seats, one of which is elongated rail heads.in the direction of the length of the rail, 4. A rail joint havinglateral splice bars and keys consisting of balls fitted in said 15rovided with shoes for engaging the rail complemental seats. toot andmeans for securing the shoes against In testimony whereof I affix mysignature. transverse movement relative to the rail, EDWARD FIXTER.

